Cooking Nasi Lemak requires a balance. You need the rice, the sambal, the egg, and the ikan bilis. If you just have a plate full of sambal, it’s not a meal; it’s a disaster.
An aquarium is the same. You cannot just throw random fish together. You need a balance of Top, Middle, and Bottom dwellers.
If you have a standard 2-Foot Tank (60cm / 15-20 Gallons)—which is the most common size for beginners in Malaysia—here is my “Golden Recipe” for a tank that is active, colorful, and peaceful.
The Rules of the Recipe
Before we add fish, we follow the “Rule of 3”:
- Top/Centerpiece: The star of the show.
- Middle: The schooling energy.
- Bottom: The cleanup crew.
Ingredient 1: The Centerpiece (Choose 1)
You want one fish that has personality and acts as the “King” or “Queen” of the tank.
- Option A: 1x Honey Gourami. (Yellow, very peaceful, stays near the top).
- Option B: 1x Betta Imbellis (Wild Betta). Note: Only add him if the tank has lots of plants to break his line of sight.
- Option C: 2x German Blue Rams. (A pair of small, colorful Cichlids. A bit more advanced).
Ingredient 2: The School (Choose 1 Group)
These fish provide the movement. They swim in the open water.
- Option A: 10x Cardinal Tetras. (The red and blue laser beams).
- Option B: 10x Harlequin Rasboras. (The local copper favorites).
- Option C: 12x Chili Rasboras. (If you want tiny red sparks).
Warning: Do not mix them. A school of 20 Cardinals looks amazing. A mix of 5 Cardinals, 5 Guppies, and 5 Tetras looks like a “Rojak” mess.
Ingredient 3: The Bottom Crew (Choose 1 Group)
These keep the sand clean and add life to the floor.
- Option A: 6x Corydoras (Panda or Sterbai). The “water puppies.”
- Option B: 6x Kuhli Loaches. The “noodles.”
- Option C: 10x Cherry Shrimp. (Only if your Centerpiece fish is small/peaceful!).
Ingredient 4: The Janitor (Mandatory)
- 2x Nerite Snails. They eat the algae on the glass that the other fish won’t touch.
Why This Recipe Works
This setup works because everyone has their own “floor” in the apartment.
- The Gourami stays at the penthouse (Top).
- The Tetras hang out on the middle floors.
- The Corydoras play in the lobby (Bottom).
They don’t compete for swimming space, and the biological load (poop amount) is perfectly handled by a standard Hang-On-Back (HOB) or Canister filter.
The “Don’t” List
- Don’t add Goldfish: They are too messy for a community tank.
- Don’t add Tiger Barbs: They are bullies and will nip the fins of your Gourami.
- Don’t add Angelfish: They will eventually grow big enough to eat your Tetras.
Stop buying random fish because they look cute in the shop. Stick to the recipe.
A tank with 1 Gourami, 10 Cardinals, and 6 Corydoras is a masterpiece of nature. It is balanced, low-maintenance, and beautiful to watch.
